Iron and supporting means



-7, J.W.STEELE I 2 1 I IRON AND SUPPORTING MEANS Filed March 19, 1938 INVYENTOR I J. W Stee/e,

ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 7, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFl 4 Claims.

The present invention relates to laundry appliances and has particular reference to fiat irons and means for holding or supporting the heated irons between operating intervals.

Accordingly one of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved holder or stand for the temporary support of the iron, into which the iron may be conveniently thrust by the operator with a minimum of effort or loss of time, and wherein the iron is securely retained without any danger of displacement. It is also an object to devise a form of stand or holder which so houses the iron as to afford protection against any fire hazard or damage to the ironing board, and is also provided with anchoring means. whereby the stand is securely, but removably, anchored to the ironing board.

The invention further comprises a construction in which the hand iron is provided with supporting means adapted to cooperate with supporting and guiding means on the standsaid first supporting means being formed as a part of the handle structure of the iron and preferably made adjustable for accommodating varying attaching elements on different irons. In this connection it is also an object to provide a combination handle and supporting structure which will afford a shielding action adapted to minimize any heating effect upon the handle or the hand of the operator.

It is further sought to provide a stand or holder construction which will accommodate the electric type of hand iron without any injurious effect upon the electric heating cord to the iron.

A still further object is to provide a stand or holder having an attachment in the form of an iron wiping or polishing member mounted in position for wiping engagement with the bottom or Working face of the iron as the latter is moved into the stand or holder, and adapted to serve also as a guide or ramp for facilitating and promoting accurate movement of the iron into and out of the stand or holder.

A further feature of improvement is the provision of a waxer attachment adapted to be removably mounted on the stand or holder in convenient position for use by the operator for the removal of burnt starch or the like from the working face of the iron.

With the foregoing general objects in view, the invention will now be described in detail by reference to the accompanying drawing illustrating one practical form of construction for embodying the several improved features as indicatedafter which such improved structural features and combinations thereof as are deemed to be novel and patentable will be particularly set forth and claimed.

In the drawing- Figure 1 is a'perspective view showing an iron and holder or stand structure embodying the present features of improvement;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view, repre- 1o senting a section taken on the line 33 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the holder or stand (on a slightly smaller scale).

Frequently, in hand ironing operations, the 15 operator is tempted to allow the hand iron to rest stationary on the ironing board, temporarily, while adjusting a garment, rather than to take the time or trouble to set the iron on some inconveniently placed stand or other device in- 20 tended to support the hot iron off the surface of the board, and this lack of precaution is very likely to result not only in the padding on the board being damaged by heat from the iron, but the finish of the polished working face of the 25 iron is also oftentimes affected. To meet this objection the invention aims to overcome such temptation by providing a supporting means for the iron which is not only easy and convenient for the operator to usejust as easy in fact as 30 to follow any other course, but which will also afford an actual saving in time and effort by eliminating the extra movement on the part of the operator required for wiping or polishing the working face of the iron, since this takes 35 place automatically as the iron is inserted or withdrawn from the stand or holder.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the improved holder or stand is shown as comprising a housing member constructed to provide a top 40 portion 6 and an approximately upright side portion I and of such shape and size as to provide an interior chamber 3 conforming approximately to the size and shape of a flat iron H] which is to be received in said chamber 8 and supported 5 therein in suspended relation to said top portion 6as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. The side portion 1 is formed with three supporting legs, comprising the rear leg [2 and two side legs M, and of such length as to support a shield plate [5 50 in spaced relation not only to the ironing board IE but also to the bottom working face of the iron Ill. The rear supporting leg I2 is also formed with a foot flange l8 for retaining engagement with a beaded flange which is provided on the 55 rear edge of an anchor plate 2| which in turn is secured (as by screws 22) to the ironing board l6 and also formed on its opposite front edge with an upright flange 23 for cooperating with the flange 20 in anchoring the stand to the board.

The top portion 6 of the stand is formed with a longitudinal opening 24 providing a passageway for the connecting portion between the body portion of the fiat iron and its handle structure which, in the illustrated form of said iron, includes a combination shield and supporting plate 25 of approximately rectangular form and having upright extensions 26 and 26' carrying the hand grip 21. This plate 25 is formed with a central opening 28 for accommodating the switch 30 in the case of an electric iron, and also with suitable slots 3| for accommodating different spacings of the attaching screws 32 which secure the handle structure to the body of the iron.

The top portion of the iron 6 is stamped to form marginal seats 34 at opposite sides of the opening or passageway 24, together with guide shoulders 35 on the outer sides of said seats 34 said shoulders 35 being spaced apart a distance allowing free movement of the plate 25 along said seats While at the same time preventing any undue sidewise movement of the plate and iron carried thereby. The mouth of the passageway 24 and corresponding portions of the shoulders 35 are of flaring contour to facilitate insertion of the iron into the stand, and. at the rear ends of the seats 34, the shoulders are extended transversely to provide stop shoulders 35' for limiting said inserting movement of the iron and thus prevent its nose from striking the rear end of the housing I (see Figure 2).

It will also be noted that the juncture of the plate 25 with its handle extension 28 is curved somewhat upward, as indicated in Figures 1 and 2, to facilitate the engagement of said plate with the seats 34 whenever the iron is thrust into the stand.

The front outer end of the shield plate 15 terminates in a sloping panel provided with openings or slots 31 for the removable attachment of a pad device comprising a frame 38 fitted with wiping rags or cloths 39. The frame 38 is provided with spaced arms 49 terminating in hook elements 42 adapted to be inserted through said slots 3'! into shouldered retaining engagement with the under face of the panel 15', as represented in Figure 2. The frame 38 is moreover of sloping design having an upward backward slant adapted to guide or direct the iron (as it is wiped over said pad device) at the proper angle to engage its plate 25 with the supporting seats 34, thus automatically assisting the operator in guiding the iron to the proper level or height for entering the stand or holder.

A second pad or wiper attachment, adapted to be removably mounted on the stand, comprises an angular frame 44 carrying a pad 45 of waxing material, the vertical portion of which frame is formed with a tongue portion 46 for insertion through a slot 47 in the top portion 6 of the stand, whereby the pad 45 is carried in horizontal position at one side of the stand and somewhat above its top levelas clearly illustrated in Figure 3.

It will be quite apparent from the foregoing that the described construction fulfills the several desired objects of the invention. The stand or housing member is securely anchored to the ironing board by means of the very simple and unobtrusive anchor plate 21 engaging but one of the legs of the stand, after which any of the ordinary movements of the board-4n which it may be tilted somewhat either sideways or endwise, will not cause the stand to move out of its anchored position. Likewise, when the iron is mounted in the stand, it also is prevented from becoming casually displaced from its supported position by virtue of the rearward slope of its supporting seats 34, and the provision of the shoulders 35 and 35 positively preventing any other longitudinal or sidewise movement. The only operation required on the part of the operator for mounting the iron in the stand is to glide the iron over the inclined pad 39 in the direction of the stand-in which movement the pad, in addition to wiping the face of the iron, also functions as a ramp for guiding the iron at the proper angle and height for entering the stand and making engagement with the forward margins of the supporting seats 34, whereupon the guide shoulders 35 continue to guide the iron into supported position until stopped by the end shoulders 35. As already mentioned, the somewhat curved outline of the handle extension 28, as well as the shape of the adjacent portion of the iron (see Figure 2), further facilitate the proper engagement of the plate member 25 with the supporting seats 34. In withdrawing the iron from the stand the operation is simply reversed, the bottom face of the iron again wiping over the pad surface 39 for a second wiping stroke. The operations are so simple and direct as to reduce the necessary movements on the part of the operator, as well as the time necessary for executing them, to the very minimum.

The use of the improved stand or holder construction avoids any contact of the polished working face of the iron with any other object which might scratch or otherwise mar its finish the iron being held in suspended position within the holder, and even the pointed nose of the iron being prevented from striking the rear end of the housing 1. The iron is thus supported off the ironing board with no opportunity to damage the board or its padding, which is further protected against heat from the iron by the shield plate l5; and while suspended within the holder the construction of the case or housing is such as to provide sufficient ventilation around the iron to eliminate any fire hazard due to the iron becoming overheated. At the same time the iron is protected against undue drafts tending to reduce its temperature unnecessarily, thus economizing in heating costs.

It is particularly pointed out that in the improved construction the plate 25 serves several functions, in that it cooperates in the suspension of the iron by supporting the same on the ledges or seats 34 of the holder; it also cooperates with the shoulders 35 for guiding the iron into the holder, and limiting its movement into the holder by engaging the end shoulders or stops 35'; and moreover it forms an integral part of the handle structure of the iron and in such a way as to protect the hand grip 2'! and also shield the hand of the operator from the heat given off by the iron.

The pad 39 and its provision for removable connection with the stand or holder forms a very useful accessory in that it serves the double function of guiding and facilitating the movement of the iron into the stand, and also eliminating any extra or separate movement for contacting the iron with the pad for the wiping action, since this simply takes place automatically without any special attention on the part of the operator. The waxing pad 45 provides a further useful attachment adapted to be supported on the stand in the position most convenient for its use by the operator.

It is evident that when the iron stand or holder is to be removed from the ironing board after the ironing operation has been finished, this is readily accomplished by simply raising and tilting both the iron and stand sufficiently to disengage the holder from the anchor plate 2|, and thereafter lifting both iron and stand together ofi the board, the stand of course being suspended from the iron. This obviates the possibility of injury from burns sometimes suffered in the attempt to remove a hot stand from the board after completion of the ironing, as occasionally happens in present practice.

The stand or holder is also adapted for use with irons of the ordinary type, by providing corrugations I5" on the shield plate 15 for the support of such irons, which are thus supported in such a way as to allow ventilation between the bottom face of the iron and said plate l5 as well as below said plate, in the same Way as when the iron is suspended from the supporting ledges 34.

In this connection it may be observed that while the construction including the pad member 45, attached as shown, is such as to obstruct and prevent insertion of the iron except into supported relation upon the seats 34, this pad member may be detached and omitted if desired, in which case the plate extension or panel member I5 may also function as a ramp, its inclined position providing an inclined approach for directing and guiding the iron into supported position on the plate ii of the stand.

It may also be pointed out that the opening 24 in the top portion 6 of the stand or holder is elongated sufiiciently toward the rear of the stand (as may be seen from Figures 1 and 2) which not only provides space for air movement but also permits inserting the iron backward into the stand, as is sometimes done and in which operation the extra length of said opening 24 will accommodate the electric cord connections as required for this reverse position of the iron. Moreover to facilitate such backward movement of the iron into the stand the corners of the plate 25 adjacent to its handle extension 23 are curved slightly upward for the same reason as explained with reference to the curved outline at the juncture between said plate and its handle extension 26'.

It will thus be apparent that very practical means of relatively simple construction has been provided for embodying the proposed features of improvement; and while I have illustrated and described a desirable form of such embodiment, I desire to be understood as expressly reserving the right to make all changes or modifications which may fairly be deemed to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An iron supporting structure comprising a stand of sheet metal material having a horizontal top portion provided with a longitudinal passage for receiving the iron, said top portion being stamped to form depressions or seats providing supporting ledges at the opposite sides of said passage for supporting an iron having lateral projections for resting on said ledges and also marginal shoulders along the outer sides of said supporting ledges for engagement with the sides of said projections and guiding the iron into said passage.

2. An iron supporting structure comprising a stand of sheet metal material having a horizontal top portion provided with a longitudinal passage for receiving the iron, said top portion being stamped to form rearwardly sloping depressions or seats providing supporting ledges at the opposite sides of said passage for supporting an iron having lateral projections for resting on said ledges and also marginal shoulders along the outer sides of said supporting ledges for engagement with the sides of said projections and guiding the iron rearwardly and downwardly into said passage.

3. An iron supporting structure comprising a stand of sheet metal material having a horizontal top portion provided with a longitudinal passage for receiving the iron, said top portion being stamped to form rearwardly sloping depressions or seats providing supporting ledges at the opposite sides of said passage for supporting an iron provided with lateral projections for resting on said ledges and also marginal shoulders along the outer sides and rear ends of said supporting ledges for engagement with the sides of said projections and guiding and limiting the movement of the iron downwardly and rearwardly into said longitudinal passage.

4. An iron supporting structure comprising a stand having a horizontal top portion provided with a longitudinal passage for receiving the iron and including a housing structure shielding the sides and nose of the iron and being open to permit air movement across the bottom face of the iron, a shield plate supported by the stand in elevated position above the base of the stand, said top portion having supporting ledges at the opposite sides of said passage for supporting an iron having projections for resting on said ledges and at a height above said shield plate for maintaining the bottom face of the iron in spaced relation to said shield plate, and a guide member at the front end of said shield plate having a wiping surface inclined in the direction of the entrance to said passage and in position for supporting engagement with the bottom face of the iron and simultaneously directing the iron for engagement of said projections with the forward ends of said supporting ledges.

JAMES W. STEELE. 

